Food Makers Expected to Settle StarLink Corn Suit
NEW YORK - A U.S. federal judge is expected to approve a $9 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit against several food companies that sold products containing genetically modified corn, the Wall Street Journal reported today.
Consumers filed the class-action lawsuit charging that StarLink corn, which is not approved for humans, was used in food and made them sick, the Journal said. However, the defendants continue to deny liability.
The companies involved are Kraft Foods Inc., Kellogg Co., Azteca Foods Inc., and Mission Foods Co. An Aventis SA unit that developed the corn and Garst Seed Co., which sold the seed contaminated with the corn, are also included, the Journal said.
Under the settlement, $6 million in coupons will be placed on the companies' products, and any money not redeemed through the coupons will go to charity, the Journal said. An additional $3 million would go toward administration of the programme and legal fees, the Journal said.
The final approval of the settlement is expected to be signed on Thursday, the Journal reported.
Consumers filed the class-action lawsuit charging that StarLink corn, which is not approved for humans, was used in food and made them sick, the Journal said. However, the defendants continue to deny liability.
The companies involved are Kraft Foods Inc., Kellogg Co., Azteca Foods Inc., and Mission Foods Co. An Aventis SA unit that developed the corn and Garst Seed Co., which sold the seed contaminated with the corn, are also included, the Journal said.
Under the settlement, $6 million in coupons will be placed on the companies' products, and any money not redeemed through the coupons will go to charity, the Journal said. An additional $3 million would go toward administration of the programme and legal fees, the Journal said.
The final approval of the settlement is expected to be signed on Thursday, the Journal reported.